The Grand Prix of Spain from 2025, which started on 1 June at 3 p.m. local time on the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, will not only be remembered because of the exciting race, but also because of a heated argument afterwards. McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who are currently competing for the world championship, caused a stir with their comments about Red Bull driver Max Verstappen during the press conference after the race. Their statements that were labeled by some as “brutally” aroused the anger of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, who labeled the comments as disrespectful and unprofessional.
During the race, Piastri managed to win, followed by Norris in second place, while Verstappen crossed the finish line in third. McLaren’s dominance in the championship, with Piastri still in the lead and Norris in second place in the rankings. Verstappen, who has been the victims of controversial moments with the McLaren drivers, such as in Saudi Arabia and Imola, again achieved a strong performance, but could not keep track of the McLarens. The excitement between the teams is felt this season, especially due to the fierce battle for the title and recent incidents, such as Verstappen’s time penalty in Jeddah and his catching up on Piastri in Imola.
After the race, Piastri and Norris were asked what they thought of Verstappen’s performance, given his constant threat despite the speed of the McLaren cars. Piastri, who already showed earlier this season that he was not afraid to challenge Verstappen, answered a tone that surprised many: “Max does what he can do with what he has, but let’s be honest, he doesn’t have it to beat us this year. Maybe he should stop complaining and working harder.” Norris added laughing: “Yes, I think he is a bit frustrated because he is no longer the fastest. Maybe he should get used to following us.” These comments were received by the reporters with a mix of laughter and surprise, but they fell in the wrong way at Red Bull.
Christian Horner, the team boss of Red Bull, reacted furiously during his own press. He called the statements of Piastri and Norris unacceptable and pointed out that Verstappen is a four -time world champion that deserves respect. “These kinds of childish comments do not belong in Formula 1. Max has shown more class in his career than these two together. They may be quickly, but they still have a lot to learn about sportiness,” said Horner, who also emphasized that Red Bull is working hard to close the gap with McLaren. According to Horner, the recent rule changes about front wings, which were more strictly controlled by the FIA, had little impact on the pecking order, which means that McLaren still has an advantage.
Verstappen himself chose not to respond too much to the comments of his rivals. In a short interview after the race, he said: “I let my performance speak on the track. If they feel better by saying things like this, fine. I focus on my own race.” This reaction shows the calmness that Verstappen has shown more often this season, despite the fierce competition from McLaren. Yet it is clear that the tension between the drivers is increasing, especially now that the championship is so close together.
The statements of Piastri and Norris have also provided divisions among fans. On social media, some express their support for the McLaren drivers, who, according to them, simply express their confidence, while others think they have gone too far and Verstappen deserve more respect. With a large part of the season ahead, the rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull promises to only become more intense. The Grand Prix of Spain has not only yielded points for McLaren, but also added a new dimension to the psychological battle in Formula 1.
